When Parents and Police Fail Bali's Children

Baliís Toll of Dead Under-Aged Drivers Continues to Climb

Parent’s acquiescence to underage driving and police reluctance to move against under-aged drivers has resulted in another death, this time a 15-year-old boy Putu Novan Ardianto.

The spokesman for the Buleleng Police Precinct, Made Mustida, confirmed on Tuesday, March 5, 201, that the underage motorcyclist who was dragged across the highway before dying. The boy reportedly steered around a sign placed in the road warning of a religious ceremony underway when he drove into oncoming traffic and was dragged to his death under truck.

“The victim was not careful when traveling on a main road. What’s more, at the time of the accident in Susut hamlet in Tejakula there was a traditional ceremony underway,” explained Mustida.

The boy was pronounced dead on arrival at a local community health center (Puskemas Tejakula).